GRAMMAR

SPELL

WORDS

The Reading / Listening - Zealandia - Level 3

We were taught at school that there were nine planets, but now there are eight (scientists said Pluto is not a planet). Now we may have to change our thinking about how many continents there are. We are taught there are seven continents - Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia. Geologists (people who study the land and the earth) now say there is an eighth continent - Zealandia. This is a huge, largely underwater landmass in the southern Pacific Ocean. Six per cent of this landmass is above water and is what we know as New Zealand and New Caledonia. Around 94 per cent of it is under the ocean. In total, it measures five million square kilometres, which scientists say is big enough to be a continent.

Geologists explained why they think Zealandia is a continent. They wrote a research paper and published it in the Geological Society of America's Journal. They argue that the land does not have to be above water for it to be a continent. They said four different points make Zealandia a continent. It is a lot higher than the surrounding area, it has a unique geology, it is easy to find the shape of the continent, and it is a lot thicker than the ocean floor. Nick Mortimer, a geologist at GNS Science in New Zealand, said it would be easy to understand that Zealandia is a continent, "if you could pull the plug on the world's oceans" and let the water out. However, it may take some time before scientists agree that there are eight continents.

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. CONTINENTS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about continents. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

MY e-BOOK

5. OCEAN: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "ocean". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. BEST CONTINENT: Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Geologists said a continent can be below water and still be a continent. T / F

Geologists said a continent needs a unique geology to be a continent. T / F

A geologist said if the oceans had less water, we could see Zealandia. T / F

The article said scientists will agree quickly that Zealandia is a continent. T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

taught

thinking

huge

largely

under

published

surrounding

unique

understand

pull

ideas

encircling

mainly

see

remove

educated

special

beneath

printed

enormous

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

We were taught at school that

we may have to

This is a huge, largely

Six per cent of this landmass

big enough

They wrote a research paper

it has a unique

a lot thicker

pull the plug on the world's oceans and

it may take some time

is above water

to be a continent

than the ocean floor

before scientists agree

let the water out

there were nine planets

and published it

change our thinking

geology

underwater landmass

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

land
measures
southern
nine
enough
thinking
above
huge

We were taught at school that there were (1) ____________ planets, but now there are eight (scientists said Pluto is not a planet). Now we may have to change our (2) ____________ about how many continents there are. We are taught there are seven continents - Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia. Geologists (people who study the (3) ____________ and the earth) now say there is an eighth continent - Zealandia. This is a (4) ____________, largely underwater landmass in the (5) ____________ Pacific Ocean. Six per cent of this landmass is (6) ____________ water and is what we know as New Zealand and New Caledonia. Around 94 per cent of it is under the ocean. In total, it (7) ____________ five million square kilometres, which scientists say is big (8) ____________ to be a continent.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

easy
argue
published
time
unique
plug
points
thicker

Geologists explained why they think Zealandia is a continent. They wrote a research paper and (9) ____________ it in the Geological Society of America's Journal. They (10) ____________ that the land does not have to be above water for it to be a continent. They said four different (11) ____________ make Zealandia a continent. It is a lot higher than the surrounding area, it has a (12) ____________ geology, it is easy to find the shape of the continent, and it is a lot (13) ____________ than the ocean floor. Nick Mortimer, a geologist at GNS Science in New Zealand, said it would be (14) ____________ to understand that Zealandia is a continent, "if you could pull the (15) ____________ on the world's oceans" and let the water out. However, it may take some (16) ____________ before scientists agree that there are eight continents.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) We were taught at school that there were nine planets, but now ______
a. there are eighth
b. there are eights
c. there are eighths
d. there are eight

2) we may have to change our thinking about how many continents ______
a. are there
b. their are
c. they're are
d. there are

3) Geologists (people who study the land and the earth) now say there is ______
a. and eighth continent
b. an eight continent
c. an eighth continent
d. and eight continent

4) Around 94 per cent of it is ______
a. under an ocean
b. under the ocean
c. underling ocean
d. and the ocean

6) They argue that the land does not have to be above water for it to ______
a. be the continent
b. be a continent
c. be all continent
d. been a continent

7) It is a lot higher than the surrounding area, it has a ______
a. uniquely geology
b. unique geological
c. uniquely geological
d. unique geology

8) it is easy to find the shape of the continent, and it is a lot thicker than ______
a. the ocean flair
b. the ocean flare
c. the ocean floor
d. the ocean flaw

9) if you could pull the plug on the world's oceans and ______ out
a. wet the water
b. let the water
c. bet the water
d. set the water

10) However, it may take some time before ______
a. science is agree
b. scientists argue
c. science lists argue
d. scientists agree

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

We (1) ___________________ school that there were nine planets, but now there are eight (scientists said Pluto is not a planet). Now we may have to (2) ___________________ about how many continents there are. We are taught there are seven continents - Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia. Geologists (people who study the (3) ___________________) now say there is an eighth continent - Zealandia. This is a huge, (4) ___________________ landmass in the southern Pacific Ocean. Six per cent of this landmass is above water and is what we know as New Zealand and New Caledonia. Around 94 (5) ___________________ the ocean. In total, it measures five million square kilometres, which scientists say is (6) ___________________ a continent.

Geologists explained (7) ___________________ Zealandia is a continent. They wrote a research paper and published it in the Geological Society of America's Journal. They (8) ___________________ land does not have to be above water for it to be a continent. They said four different points make Zealandia a continent. It (9) ___________________ than the surrounding area, it has a unique geology, it is easy (10) ___________________ of the continent, and it is a lot thicker than the ocean floor. Nick Mortimer, a geologist at GNS Science in New Zealand, said (11) ___________________ to understand that Zealandia is a continent, "if you could pull the plug on the world's oceans" and let the water out. However, it may take some time before scientists (12) ___________________ are eight continents.

Comprehension questions

Where were we taught that there were nine planets?

What did scientists say was not a planet?

Where is Zealandia?

How much of Zealandia is above water?

How big is Zealandia?

What did geologists write?

How many different points make Zealandia a continent?

What does a landmass need to be thicker than to be a continent?

What did a geologist say you could pull to see Zealandia?

How long will it take for scientists to agree on Zealandia?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Where were we taught that there were nine planets?
a) school
b) at a planetarium
c) on the Internet
d) in maths books

8) What does a landmass need to be thicker than to be a continent?
a) Antarctica
b) the ocean
c) a large volcano
d) the ocean floor

9) What did a geologist say you could pull to see Zealandia?
a) a muscle
b) a shelf
c) a plug
d) a rock

10) How long will it take for scientists to agree on Zealandia?
a) a little longer
b) some time
c) 3 days
d) 3 years

Role play

Role A — Africa

You think Africa is the best continent. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their continents. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Asia, Europe or South America.

Role B — Asia

You think Asia is the best continent. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their continents. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Africa, Europe or South America.

Role C — Europe

You think Europe is the best continent. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their continents. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Asia, Africa or South America.

Role D — South America

You think South America is the best continent. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their continents. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Asia, Europe or Africa.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

why

argue

four

shape

pull

time

nine

people

seven

huge

know

total

Student survey

Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.
When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

Discussion - Zealandia – The eighth continent?

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

What did you think when you read the headline?

What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'continent'?

What do you know about the continents?

What do you know about the continent on which you live?

Which is the best continent, and why?

What do you think of Zealandia becoming a continent?

What do geologists do every day?

What is a continent?

What would you like to know about Zealandia?

What do you know about New Zealand?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

What do you think of when you hear the word 'planet'?

What do you think about what you read?

What do you like about the geology of the Earth?

Asia and Europe are connected, so are they one continent?

What do you think of the name, 'Zealandia'?

Would you like to be a geologist?

What would happen if you pulled the plug on the world's oceans?

Why might it take time for scientists to agree Zealandia is a continent?

What questions would you like to ask the geologists?

Discussion — Write your own questions

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

We were (1) ____ at school that there were nine planets, but now there are eight (scientists said Pluto is not a planet). Now we may have to change our (2) ____ about how many continents there (3) ____. We are taught there are seven continents - Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia. Geologists (people who study the land and the earth) now say there is an eighth continent - Zealandia. This is a huge, (4) ____ underwater landmass in the southern Pacific Ocean. Six per cent of this landmass is above water and is (5) ____ we know as New Zealand and New Caledonia. Around 94 per cent of it is under the ocean. (6) ____ total, it measures five million square kilometres, which scientists say is big enough to be a continent.

Geologists explained why they think Zealandia is a continent. They wrote a research paper and published (7) ____ in the Geological Society of America's Journal. They argue that the land does not have to be above water (8) ____ it to be a continent. They said four different points make Zealandia a continent. It is a lot higher than the surrounding area, it has a unique geology, it is easy to find the (9) ____ of the continent, and it is a (10) ____ thicker than the ocean floor. Nick Mortimer, a geologist at GNS Science in New Zealand, said it would be easy to understand that Zealandia is a continent, "if you could pull the plug on the world's oceans" and let the water (11) ____. However, it may take (12) ____ time before scientists agree that there are eight continents.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) teaching (b) teaches (c) teach (d) taught

(a) thought (b) think (c) thinks (d) thinking

(a) be (b) are (c) have (d) is

(a) measure (b) degree (c) largely (d) extent

(a) that (b) where (c) what (d) such

(a) In (b) On (c) To (d) At

(a) issue (b) it (c) which (d) paper

(a) for (b) from (c) of (d) if

(a) ship (b) shape (c) sharp (d) slope

(a) lid (b) loads (c) lot (d) land

(a) down (b) up (c) out (d) in

(a) lots (b) any (c) many (d) some

Spelling

Paragraph 1

there were nine netlsap

eiggstsolo (people who study the land)

ygrlael underwater

under the naceo

it aeseurms five million square kilometres

… which scientists say is big unheog

Paragraph 2

wrote a hscreare paper and published it

They uerga that the land…

four etieffrnd points

higher than the gnrdouiusnr area

it has a uieqnu geology

scientists ragee

Put the text back together

( ) underwater landmass in the southern Pacific Ocean. Six per cent of this landmass is above water and is what we

( ) Geologists explained why they think Zealandia is a continent. They wrote a research paper and

( ) higher than the surrounding area, it has a unique geology, it is easy to find the shape of the continent, and it is a lot

( ) water for it to be a continent. They said four different points make Zealandia a continent. It is a lot

( ) five million square kilometres, which scientists say is big enough to be a continent.

( ) out. However, it may take some time before scientists agree that there are eight continents.

( ) published it in the Geological Society of America's Journal. They argue that the land does not have to be above

( ) thicker than the ocean floor. Nick Mortimer, a geologist at GNS Science in New Zealand, said it would be

( ) study the land and the earth) now say there is an eighth continent - Zealandia. This is a huge, largely

( ) a planet). Now we may have to change our thinking about how many continents there are. We are taught there are

( 1 ) We were taught at school that there were nine planets, but now there are eight (scientists said Pluto is not

( ) know as New Zealand and New Caledonia. Around 94 per cent of it is under the ocean. In total, it measures

( ) easy to understand that Zealandia is a continent, "if you could pull the plug on the world's oceans" and let the water

Put the words in the right order

nine were school were We at there planets taught that .

how Change many our continents thinking there about are .

land earth people the the are study and Geologists who .

huge underwater the A largely in Pacific , landmass southern .

, square it kilometres measures In five total million .

research a wrote They it published and paper .

to have not does land the that argue They water above be .

surrounding lot area higher It than is the a .

the let and oceans world's the on plug the Pull out water .

may time agree it some scientists , take before However .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

We were taught / teach at school that there were nine planets, but now there are eight (scientists said Pluto is not the / a planet). Now we may have to change our thinks / thinking about how many continents there be / are. We are taught there are seven continents - Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia. Geologists (people who study the land and the / an earth) now say there is an eighth continent - Zealandia. This is a huge, largely / enlarge underwater landmass in the southern Pacific Ocean. Six per cent for / of this landmass is above water and is what we know / known as New Zealand and New Caledonia. Around 94 per cent of it is under the ocean. In totally / total, it measures five million square kilometres, which scientists say is big enough to do / be a continent.

Geologists explanation / explained why they think Zealandia is a continent. They wrote a research paper and published it on / in the Geological Society of America's Journal. They argue that the land does not have to be higher / above water for it to be a continent. They said four different / difference points make Zealandia a continent. It is a much / lot higher than the surrounding area, it has a unique / uniquely geology, it is easy to find the shape of the continent, and it is a lot thicken / thicker than the ocean floor. Nick Mortimer, a geologist at GNS Science in New Zealand, said it would be easy to understand that Zealandia is a continent, "if you could push / pull the plug on the world's oceans" and let the water out / in. However, it may take some time then / before scientists agree that there are eight continents.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

we were taught at school that there were nine planets but now there are eight (scientists said pluto is not a planet) now we may have to change our thinking about how many continents there are we are taught there are seven continents - asia africa north america south america antarctica europe and australia geologists (people who study the land and the earth) now say there is an eighth continent - zealandia this is a huge largely underwater landmass in the southern pacific ocean six per cent of this landmass is above water and is what we know as new zealand and new caledonia around 94 per cent of it is under the ocean in total it measures five million square kilometres which scientists say is big enough to be a continent

geologists explained why they think zealandia is a continent they wrote a research paper and published it in the geological society of america's journal they argue that the land does not have to be above water for it to be a continent they said four different points make zealandia a continent it is a lot higher than the surrounding area it has a unique geology it is easy to find the shape of the continent and it is a lot thicker than the ocean floor nick mortimer a geologist at gns science in new zealand said it would be easy to understand that zealandia is a continent "if you could pull the plug on the world's oceans" and let the water out however it may take some time before scientists agree that there are eight continents

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about Zealandia. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. CONTINENTS: Make a poster about continents. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. ZEALANDIA: Write a magazine article about Zealandia and whether it should become the eighth continent. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on continents. Ask him/her three questions about Zealandia. Give him/her three of your opinions on whether Zealandia should be the eighth continent. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

Answers

(Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)